When a civilian breaks the law, they typically A. get their punishment, B. get off scot-free because they’ve got money and power or a doofy jury, or C. get screwed by a lousy lawyer and end up in prison for a crime they didn’t commit. But when an officer breaks a law, it can often go by ignored, or at least unpunished—a rather Orwellian fact that we shouldn’t tolerate as a whole.

So the “very experienced officer” who handled two German Shepherd dogs and left them to die in his car on what’s so far been the hottest day of the year should be prosecuted under the full extent of the law.

On June 20, this officer from Nottinghamshire, UK left the dogs unattended in the backseat of his vehicle, where the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) estimates that temperatures could have reached 116 degrees. The length of time they were left in the car hasn’t been released, but it would have only taken a half an hour in such extreme conditions for them to die.

As of right now, he hasn’t even been suspended, let alone charged; but he may face them yet per the Animal Welfare Act, which could impose a fine of GBP 20,000 or a penalty of up to six months in prison.

 Ironically, the Nottingham Police Headquarters had just spent GBP 300,000 on new dog kennels—only to be shorted two canines from the negligence of one of their own. One of the dogs was older, about to be retired—and the other was a young dog, about a year old, who was just beginning his training.

Granted, the officer was on duty, so if there were an emergency—a sudden dispatch for help, a murderer fleeing a scene, something of that sort—maybe he’s forgivable… but another dark irony in this case is that the car the dogs died in was parked at the police’s Sherwood Lodge Headquarters near Arnold, Notts—right next to where their dogs are based!

So the officer let them die when they where that close to being safe. What a shame.

So folks, please remember to keep an eye on your pets. Keep your animals cool and well-hydrated at all times, especially in the summer months. And please don’t leave them in a hot car—even for a few minutes. As you can see, it doesn’t take long for a parked car to become a steamy hell pit of death for animals.